BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1925, Page 3

BRITISH & FOREIGN NEWS

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAHLH ASSOCIATION ONE RIOTER KILLED. BEIRUT, April 12. The s.s. Sphinx with Earl Balfour and his party aboard left for Alexandria. There was no demonstration. General Sarrail visited Earl Balfour aboard last night. Earl Balfour was under the closest polled protection throughout. The people here stated that serious trouble was inevitable had lie visited Baalbek. He stayed at Beirut. It is officially stated that twelve gendarmeries were wounded at Damascus and were taken to the hospital. It is also stated a Spahi killed a rioter. He snatched the Spain's sword and tried to kill him.

It also reported that a. carriage driver w !, s killed by a stray bullet. The French authorities apparently anticipated individual attempts on Earl Balfour’s life as they had numerous secret police around his hotel at Damascus, hut did not anticipate such serious riots.

BAILWAY DISASTER. MADRID, April 11. A railway disaster happened at Eonanova, a halting place just outside Sarria. The leading coach struck an obstacle, and jumped the rail's. It crashed against the side of the tunnel, and was smashed to matchwood. The next two carriages were also wrecked. Bloodstained passengers clambered out of the wreckage, and ran along the line to the next station, where the station master barely had time to stop another train coming on the same line. Doctors and ambulance parties rushed to the rescue work, which was carried out amid heart-rending scenes, survivors frantically seeking for their mangled relatives. A CENTENARIAN. LONDON, April 12. Mrs Haldane, the Viscount’s mother, is a centenarian to-day. She listenedin to wireless congratulations, hut was too ill to participate iti family (estivaties. The King, Queen and Queen Mother telegraphed their congratulations. MAY DAY IN JAPAN. TDK 10, April 12. The police sanctioned a May Day procession of about thirty thousand persons, conditionally that it is Hagless, bannerlcss and stieklcss, and that there are no revolutionary songs. Korean and other colonial workmen aic prohibited from participating. \ nnviSH TVrcrTKION

A JEWISH DECISION. LONDON, April 12

The Jew, by nature, is not a moneylender, said Bev. Israel Matuck, in announcing the Liberal Jewish .Synagogue as Regent’s Park had decided to refuse moneylenders membership ol the congregation. They are allowed to worship in the Synagogue but are not allowed to contribute to its support. Matuck explained the dccisin is not because money-lending strengthens the prejudice against Jews, but that all Jewish law condemns money-lending.

COUNTESS’ ESTATE. LONDON, April 12

Winifred, Countess Thnulonnld, left £2012,800 sterling. Tlie King disclaims all interest in the Countesses’ bequest to him of (* ivy roll Castle Estate, also fifty thousand sterling for its upkeep. The Countess desired the estate to become the permanent Welsh residence of Kins's of England. The estate now goes to the Red Cross,

ROUMANIAN TROUBLES. VIENNA* April 12. Tn consequence of the corruption and terrorism of the Britiano government, a revolution is hourly expected in Eoumania. Ferdinand’s Crown is resting lightly on his head. Ho is willing to resign in favour of Prince Carol.

GERMAN TRADE MENACE. LONDON, April 12

Mr Ramsay MacDonald in a special interview with the “Daily Herald’’ extensively examines the menace o German competition. Mr Macßonah advocates encouraging Germans to fight for higher wages and shorter hohrs. If that is not achieved, Herman sweated goods will continue to he a menace and Europe will he dragged down to Germany’s economic level. Her low consumption reduces our selling opportunities. At the same tune her own production on low standards hampers ours, Mr MacDonald believes t,.at concerted action through Amsterdam Internationale will dissipate some difficulties confronting British workshops.

SPAIN AND CANADA. MADRID, April 12. \ Canadinn-Spnnish modus vivemli has been signed. It grants Canada the benefit of the second column Unit in exchange for Canadian intermediate tariff arranged. It is noteworthy that the agreement is signed by the British Ambassador, though negotiations were conducted by tbc Canadian Trade Commissioner. AN AIR INVENTIONTOKIO, April 12. Army and navy officers have been detailed to test an anti-aircraft she which releases a parachuted net intended to entangle the propellor. It is invented by a son of Rear-Admiral T'ika:"i The inventor claims he is able to spread a series of overlapping nets from any reasonable height. LABOUR CONFERENCE LONDON, April 12. The annual conference of the Independent Labour Party opened at Gloucester this morning and was attendc hv Mr Ramsav MacDonald, and pin - ticallv nil prominent members of the oartv. Clifford Allen urged Labour to unitedly demand a national "age dictated bv the needs of civilised exist ence, not depending upon the varying fortunes of each industry. He declared the amount of such wage should cither he so inhuman as to put the rich with their lives of luxury to shame for ever, or so correct as to ««B th ° death knell of » wasteful profit making system of industry and the banking system. The nation must then control the import of food and raw materials.

DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE ILL. LONDON, April 13. The Duke of Devonshire had a slight seizure, but he spent a good night, Ins condition being satisfactory.

A TRAGIC MURDER. LONDON, April 12. London is deeply moved at the murder of Grace Blackaller in the circumstances cabled yesterday. It is stated she left her home during the evening r for a. cinema. Her friends say she had an artistic temperament and had performed in Christmas fairy plays. Although aged only sixteen she was tall and well built. It appears she was nearly home when attacked. She managed to crawl thither leaving a trail of bloodstains. She roused her widowed mother calling ‘‘ .Mummy, mummy.” Thereafter she was sent to the hospital where she died. The police most propmtlv circulated the information through the press. Ernest Rhodes, aged IS, a native of Liverpool, in the service of a London firm, au. -actor, walked into Fulham police station, early this morning and thereat ter was charged with the murder. Ho will appear at the Police Court to-day. .MURDERER CONFESSES. LONDON, April Hi. ‘‘She laughed in my facer and called me a poor fool. I lost my head and as we were kissing good night I pulled out a razor and swept it slowly across her throat.” This passage appeared in an alleged confession submitted to the West London Police Court when Rhodes appeared on a charge of murder. Rhodes’s statement in detailing the events leading up to the tragedy, described how, when leave-taking after . the cinema on Thursday evening, Grace Blackaller. who he had known for two months, teased him about her going with other hoys. Rhodes told her 1 loved her, and that she was only playing with him. and that he would do something desperate. Continuing Rhodes says:—“Grace said: ‘I meant to toll you I loved you.’ She wanted to kiss me again. Then T • saw the blood on the razor and I screamed and ran away. I did not know until I read Saturday’s newspapers that Grace was dead, and I decided to make a dean breast of it.” Rhodes was remanded. WOMAN’S SIN MURDERS. PARIS, April 13. An Italian woman named Antoinette Sciaii. aged 37. was arrested and confessed to poisoning six persons who died during the past few weeks and also to others who are in a critical condition. She admitted the crimes were commit ted with the object of roblrcry. Suspicion was at first aroused when her lover died after eating lend she had prepared.

OBJECT OF DEMONSTRATION. LONDON, April 13.

It is lucky for those responsible for not informing Earl Balfour of the probability of trouble in Damascus as they will not be called on to answer a charge of serious loss of life and grave international complications. II is inconceivable that tile Damascusites who are not affected by Earl Balfour’s declaratioiu in connection with- Zionism should feel his presence more keenly than the Jerusalemites. The demonstration was really organised to embarrass the French as it might have caused serious complications between England and France. It is easy to imagine British feelings on the arrival of a distinguished Frenchman in Jerusalem necessitating British troops charging the crowds. Undoubtedly Earl Balfour should have been warned never to have undertaken the jnurnev to Damascus. ivURK LSI I REVOLT ENDED. LONDON. April 13.

The ‘.‘Times” Constantinople correspondent says that having virtually quelled the Kurdish revolt the Government is taking measures to prevent a repetition. It is stated the Government intends to abolish the powers .of the Sheiks and tribal system by dividing the country into a mini her of districts in which order will he maintained by permanent bodies ot troops and police, compelling the Nomad tribes to settle in definite localities.